The following is from “How Long, Lord?”, available on Amazon.

 

Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him.
Psalm 37:7

 

David understood the importance of rest.

As a shepherd, he knew that no matter how far they must travel or pressing the journey, the sheep must rest.  A good shepherd forces the sheep to stop, and David knew this to be true of his Good Shepherd as well:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

Like distracted or ambitious sheep, David was also prone to wander, and rest might not be his default, particularly when rest seemed foolish or dangerous.  “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him”: David knew he must exhort himself to be still and wait, lest he run ahead into ruin.

Whatever your situation – no matter how long or pressing the journey – your Good Shepherd needs you to rest.  He needs you to be still and know that He is God (not you.)  We have spent six days exploring Psalm 13, and today – the seventh day – we rest.  We rest by being still and knowing who God is, not problem solving or studying scripture.

The Lord is your shepherd.  You lack nothing.  He will lead you to refreshment.  He will guide you to the right paths (for his name’s sake, not your comfort, safety, or advancement.)  He will do this – He is doing it – and all he needs from you is to trust Him enough to rest.

Find the week-long devotional here.